Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Hibbert (ranked 2755 p4p, 311 weight class) and Ryan McCarthy (ranked 1081 p4p, 137 weight class). Ryan McCarthy is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of 2 wins, 2 losses and 0 draws, fighting out of New York, Tony Hibbert!And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 11 wins, 8 losses and 1 draws, fighting out of London, Ryan McCarthy!The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Franklyn Lucas and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway! McCarthy scoring well with a low kick there.
Hibbert moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination. Hibbert shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. McCarthy eats them both and turns towards Hibbert to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.It looks like Ryan McCarthy has been cut. Hibbert swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy throws a fast counter high kick but Hibbert manages to duck under it in time. Hibbert looks to land a left hand but McCarthy moved out of range nicely. Hibbert is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot. McCarthy throws a head kick that half lands.
McCarthy ducks right into an uppercut from Hibbert. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! McCarthy slips under a jab. McCarthy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McCarthy there as he acknowledges the shot.McCarthy shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hibbert manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage. McCarthy wants to pass the guard but Hibbert is keeping the position. Hibbert seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now. That's one minute gone in the round. McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hibbert swivels though and keeps the full guard. McCarthy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Hibbert seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now. McCarthy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan. McCarthy looking to pass the guard. Hibbert seems keen to control McCarthy's posture. Hibbert working a defensive guard here.
McCarthy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two. Hibbert managing to control the position. McCarthy working some strikes from top position.That's two minutes gone in the round.Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it. A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hibbert holds on and takes a little breather. McCarthy wants to control from the top but Hibbert keeps moving. Hibbert has his hands on McCarthy's head, controlling the position. McCarthy forces his way into half guard. McCarthy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage. McCarthy trying to control the action but Hibbert is working from the bottom. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Hibbert is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. Hibbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from McCarthy. That's three minutes gone in the round. The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McCarthy connects with a nice short shot to Hibbert's temple. McCarthy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now. Hibbert tries to roll over but McCarthy keeps him under control. McCarthy trying to control the action but Hibbert is working from the bottom. McCarthy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hibbert is just riding it out for now. McCarthy eventually gives up the hold. Hibbert might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground. Hibbert tries to get to full guard but McCarthy has control of the leg. That's four minutes gone in the round.Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless. McCarthy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hibbert does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back. Hibbert is trying to control but can't.
McCarthy is trying to control the action in half guard but Hibbert is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard. Hibbert is trying to control but can't.
McCarthy wants to free his trapped foot but Hibbert is holding on for dear life with his legs. Hibbert gets full guard. Hibbert keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully. Hibbert pulls McCarthy in close to his closed guard and prevents McCarthy from doing any damage or advancing position.The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Hibbert not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tony Hibbert will probably get the nod.The cut man is working on Ryan McCarthy's cut.The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good exchange - Hibbert coming out on top. Hibbert lands with a straight right. McCarthy didn't see that one coming. Hibbert lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McCarthy circles away quickly and effectively. Hibbert misses with a straight right. McCarthy let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land. Hibbert swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy tries to move into range but Hibbert moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand. Hibbert rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McCarthy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.McCarthy with the counter takedown but Hibbert avoids it easily. Hibbert closes the distance and lands a one-two.Tony Hibbert is winning the standup battle so far. Hibbert throws a lazy right hand but McCarthy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.McCarthy gets the takedown into side control. This has been an exciting period of action! Hibbert can't do much from the bottom here. That's one minute gone in the round. Hibbert takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.McCarthy swings around for an armbar but Hibbert sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into McCarthy's guard. Hibbert is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control. McCarthy is trying to control the position but Hibbert postures up. McCarthy keeping moving, preventing Hibbert from controlling successfully. McCarthy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle. McCarthy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
That's two minutes gone in the round. McCarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hibbert. Hibbert slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard. McCarthy seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now. Hibbert trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom. Hibbert trying to stand up but can't free himself from McCarthy's guard.That's three minutes gone in the round. Hibbert looking to pass the guard. McCarthy looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hibbert has picked McCarthy up and slammed him! McCarthy can't keep hold of the triangle and Hibbert manages to pass to side control! McCarthy tries to get back to half guard but can't. McCarthy is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now. Hibbert misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hibbert throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.That's four minutes gone in the round.My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer. McCarthy can't do much from the bottom here. Hibbert wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McCarthy, who protects the arm well. The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity. Hibbert throws an off balance right hand
and McCarthy counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hibbert won't be happy with that. McCarthy working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter. Hibbert is trying to escape and get back to his feet. McCarthy fails to land a wild elbow strike.
McCarthy is trying to get an arm triangle but Hibbert is defending well. Hibbert tries to get back to half guard but can't. McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Hibbert is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hibbert dominated that second round.The cut man is working on Ryan McCarthy's cut.That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hibbert throws a right hand that misses
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab. Hibbert misses with a hook to the body
and McCarthy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hibbert! McCarthy is trying to get an arm triangle but Hibbert is defending well. McCarthy trying to control the position but Hibbert is working away. McCarthy tries to advance to mount but can't. Hibbert wants to control but McCarthy postures up.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. McCarthy looking to control but instead Hibbert has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard. Hibbert trying to hold on to McCarthy's head to control him but McCarthy postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.Hibbert is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control. McCarthy working Hibbert over with strikes. Ryan McCarthy has got the better of the ground game so far. Hibbert trying to control from the bottom.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Hibbert is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom. McCarthy is thwarting Hibbert's attempts to control the position. McCarthy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hibbert keeps working. Hibbert controlling the position well. Hibbert has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCarthy is working away from the top position though.That's two minutes gone in the round.The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight. McCarthy trying to control the action but Hibbert is working from the bottom. The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity. McCarthy slips a jab from Hibbert. Hibbert looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. Hibbert falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab. Hibbert connects with the punch. Hibbert thuds a left hand into McCarthy's body. A head kick from McCarthy lands but Hibbert takes it in his stride. A combination from Hibbert does no damage. Despite the aggression on McCarthy's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter. Hibbert misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donk. McCarthy catches Hibbert right on the button with a cross. A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Hibbert does a little dance to reset his feet.That's three minutes gone in the round. A swing and a miss from Hibbert. A combination from Hibbert does no damage. McCarthy misses with the combination.
Hibbert swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.McCarthy looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it. Hibbert takes a swing at McCarthy's ribcage but misses. McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hibbert throws out the jab. McCarthy takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket. Hibbert rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McCarthy moves out of range and avoids them all easily. McCarthy throws a nice looking combination but Hibbert bobs and weaves to avoid any damage. McCarthy moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination. Hibbert dips down and scores with a jab to the body.That's four minutes gone in the round.We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Hibbert falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab. Hibbert tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCarthy was well out of range. Poor timing from Hibbert. McCarthy tries to bum rush Hibbert with a series of wild strikes but Hibbert uses good footwork to avoid the assault.Tony Hibbert is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Hibbert dodges the punch combination from McCarthy.
McCarthy slips a jab and a cross from Hibbert.
Hibbert slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range. McCarthy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hibbert is fending him off so far but McCarthy persists. Nope, Hibbert circles away and we're back to standing. Hibbert throws a combination that misses and McCarthy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hibbert! You can see the frustration on Hibbert's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ryan McCarthy just about did enough to take it.The cut man is working on Ryan McCarthy's cut.OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The crowd cheers as Hibbert lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCarthy doesn't seem phased though. McCarthy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Hibbert misses the jab. McCarthy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hibbert.
McCarthy walks into a left hand. Hibbert moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot. Hibbert lands a two punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Hibbert throws a right and a left that McCarthy avoids nicely. Hibbert showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCarthy.
McCarthy with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hibbert to score with a decent uppercut.That's one minute gone in the round. Hibbert throws a lazy right hand but McCarthy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. McCarthy scores with a jab. Hibbert acknowledges it with a nod of the head. Hibbert misses with a straight left. McCarthy has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hibbert finds it's way round the side to connect with McCarthy's head. Hibbert misses with a double jab.
Hibbert throws a right and a left that both miss.McCarthy gets a double leg takedown into Hibbert's guard. Hibbert looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. McCarthy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet. McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses. That's two minutes gone in the round. Hibbert keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully. McCarthy lands a couple of decent looking shots. Hibbert is trying to control the position but McCarthy postures up. McCarthy wants to control from the top but Hibbert keeps moving. McCarthy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hibbert has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McCarthy has managed to get both his arms back between Hibbert's legs - danger averted. Hibbert controlling the position. McCarthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard. The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet. McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses. McCarthy scoring with some ground and pound. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Hibbert keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully. Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground! Hibbert is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Hibbert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. McCarthy takes a shot right to the bread basket. Hibbert lands a jab to the head.
Hibbert throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCarthy counters with a nice uppercut. Hibbert misses with a two punch combination.
Hibbert misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hibbert gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McCarthy to score an easy takedown into full guard. Hibbert not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hibbert pulls McCarthy in close to his closed guard and prevents McCarthy from doing any damage or advancing position. McCarthy trying to control but Hibbert is working from the bottom. That's four minutes gone in the round. McCarthy being controlled here momentarily. McCarthy wants to pass the guard but Hibbert is keeping the position. Hibbert is pulling down on McCarthy's head to control his posture. Hibbert keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully. Hibbert is adopting a defensive guard.The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet. Hibbert stuns McCarthy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hibbert had his way with Ryan McCarthy in that round.The cut man is working on Ryan McCarthy's cut.The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Hibbert misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Hibbert. Those never looked like landing. Hibbert throws a series of punches but McCarthy avoids them all with ease. Hibbert waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCarthy. Hibbert misses with an uppercut. Hibbert sizes up McCarthy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle. McCarthy shoots in but no luck this time. Hibbert misses the shot to the body. McCarthy throws a counter combo. Hibbert closes the distance and lands a one-two.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Hibbert takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.Tony Hibbert is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things. Hibbert misses with a looping left.McCarthy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt. Hibbert throws a shot from downtown. McCarthy moves away and avoids it.McCarthy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hibbert defends it well.That's one minute gone in the round.McCarthy changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hibbert looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better. Hibbert tries to buck McCarthy off but McCarthy is having none of it. You can see the frustration on Hibbert's face, being in this tough position on the bottom. McCarthy cracks Hibbert with an elbow. That is naaassty. Hibbert stops McCarthy from passing to mount. Hibbert tries to bench press McCarthy off him but McCarthy keeps the position. Hibbert regains half guard. McCarthy is trying to control. Hibbert wants to improve his position but can't escape this time. McCarthy is working for a submission of some sort.
Hibbert wants to get back to full guard.That's two minutes gone in the round. Hibbert trying to hold on to McCarthy's head to control him but McCarthy postures up.
McCarthy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hibbert sees it coming and defends easily. Hibbert is pressing down on McCarthy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it. Hibbert not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hibbert is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control. Hibbert is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far. The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.That's three minutes gone in the round.McCarthy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. A combination from McCarthy does no damage. Hibbert swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McCarthy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard. Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt. McCarthy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hibbert does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back. Hibbert tries to get to full guard but McCarthy has control of the leg. McCarthy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action. Hibbert is looking to control McCarthy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hibbert avoid being mounted? Hibbert moves into full guard.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Hibbert keeps moving. That's four minutes gone in the round. McCarthy content to stall in guard here. Hibbert has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall. Hibbert has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McCarthy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself. McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hibbert swivels though and keeps the full guard. Ryan McCarthy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.Hibbert working for a triangle but McCarthy defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tony Hibbert.I think Hibbert has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight for Tony Hibbert!Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Tony Hibbert!Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Tony Hibbert!